PhrasesHub

Needle in a haystack

    Definitions

      • Difficulty finding something
        Refers to a task or search that is extremely challenging or almost impossible due to the large amount of similar objects or options present

      • Rare or unlikely occurrence
        Indicates that finding something in a particular situation is highly unlikely or almost impossible, similar to finding a needle in a haystack

    Examples of Needle in a haystack

    • Finding a specific book in a second-hand bookstore can be as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack.

      This idiom is used to describe a task that is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to accomplish, as finding a specific book in a large and disorganized second-hand bookstore can be as challenging as finding a small and inconspicuous needle in a vast and unsorted pile of hay.

    • The missing piece of evidence that could solve the case has been lost in the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the police department, making it as elusive as a needle in a haystack.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a crucial item or information is hard to locate or retrieve, as the lost piece of evidence that could solve the case has become as challenging to find as a small and hidden needle in a vast and disorganized pile of hay within the complex and confusing bureaucracy of the police department.

    • The rare and endangered species of bird that the biologist has been studying for years has been as elusive as a needle in a haystack, as it is incredibly difficult to spot and track in its natural habitat.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a rare and elusive item or creature is hard to locate or observe, as the rare and endangered species of bird that the biologist has been studying for years has become as challenging to find as a small and hidden needle in a vast and unpredictable pile of hay in its natural habitat.

    • The small and intricate piece of machinery that the engineer needs to repair the malfunctioning machine is as difficult to locate as a needle in a haystack, as it is buried deep within the complex and labyrinthine network of wires and components.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a small and crucial item or component is hard to locate or retrieve, as the small and intricate piece of machinery that the engineer needs to repair the malfunctioning machine has become as challenging to find as a small and hidden needle in a vast and intricate pile of wires and components within the machine.

    • The tiny and inconspicuous insect that the entomologist has been studying for years has been as elusive as a needle in a haystack, as it is incredibly difficult to spot and capture in its natural habitat.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a small and elusive item or creature is hard to locate or observe, as the tiny and inconspicuous insect that the entomologist has been studying for years has become as challenging to find as a small and hidden needle in a vast and unpredictable pile of hay in its natural habitat.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "needle in a haystack" is commonly used to describe a task or search that is extremely difficult or unlikely to be successful. It can be used in a literal sense, such as trying to find a small object in a large pile of similar objects, or in a figurative sense, such as trying to find a solution to a complex problem.

    In both cases, the idiom conveys a sense of frustration and the idea that the task at hand is almost impossible to accomplish. It is often used as a way to express the idea that something is very rare or hard to come by.

    Origin of "Needle in a haystack"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to at least the 16th century, with the earliest recorded use found in a work by the English writer John Heywood in 1546. The phrase was used in a proverb that read, "I had need have a great wit to find out that needle in a bottle of hay."

    The idiom gained popularity in the 19th century, when it was used in various works of literature and became a common phrase in everyday language. It is believed that the idiom originated from the difficulty of finding a small object, such as a needle, in a large pile of hay or straw. This task was often frustrating and time-consuming, leading to the comparison of finding a needle in a haystack to any difficult or unlikely task.

    The idiom has since become a widely used phrase in the English language, and its origins continue to be a topic of discussion and speculation. It serves as a reminder of the challenges and frustrations that come with searching for something that seems almost impossible to find.